Dame Fiona Reynolds

Dame Fiona Reynolds is one of the UK’s leading voices in conservation, rural policy, and public life, with a career spanning government, academia, and the environmental sector. She is currently serving as High Sheriff of Gloucestershire, a historic one-year role supporting the judiciary, emergency services, and community initiatives across the county, while championing the opportunities and challenges facing rural communities.

Fiona is perhaps best known for her time as Director-General of the National Trust, where she led the organisation for over a decade, helping to raise the profile of the countryside and its importance to national life. She later served as Master of Emmanuel College, Cambridge, and continues to hold a number of influential roles, including Chair of the Royal Agricultural University Governing Council and Chair of the National Audit Office.

With a lifelong passion for landscape, heritage, and the relationship between people and place, Fiona has consistently worked at the intersection of environment and society. Her work reflects a deep commitment to protecting the countryside while ensuring it remains relevant, accessible, and resilient for future generations.

Through her leadership and advocacy, Dame Fiona continues to play a vital role in shaping the national conversation around land, nature, and rural life.